The irregular space beneath a staircase can be used for a variety of creative built-in projects. Because the dimensions and angles of understairs areas vary widely, finding stock cabinetry that fits the space is difficult. But the design shown here can be built to fit almost any area.

The understairs work center, in its simplest form, is a pair of basic cabinets that support a countertop. The basic cabinets are built to a standard height, depending on the use. You can adapt the size of the understairs work center by shortening or lengthening the countertop and connecting shelf. A small cabinet and upper shelves are added to fill out the remaining space. The depth of the countertop also can be adjusted to match the width of your staircase.

Most understairs projects require that you make many angled cuts, but in the project shown here, you will need to make only a few miters and bevels. Beveled cuts can be made with a circular saw, but a table saw is preferable.

Project as Shown
Key	Part	Material	Pieces	Size
A	Top shelf	3/4' plywood	1	28' × 18'
B	Lower shelf	3/4' plywood	1	42' × 18'
C	Shelf cleats	1 × 2	12 linear ft.
D	Cabinet sides	3/4' plywood	4	35 1/2' × 24'
E	Cabinet base, top panels	3/4' plywood	4	24' × 19 1/4'
F	Cabinet shelves	3/4' plywood	4	24' × 19 1/4'
G	Cabinet backs	1/4' plywood	2	20' × 35'
H	Countertop	3/4' plywood	1	32' × 64'
I	Small cabinet side	3/4' plywood	1	18' × 24'
J	Small cabinet side	3/4' plywood	1	34 1/2' × 24'
K	Small cabinet bottom & top	3/4' plywood	2	19 1/4' × 24'
L	Small cabinet back	1/4' plywood	1	20' × 34'
M	Connecting shelf	3/4' plywood	1	27 7/8' × 24'
N	Face frame pieces	1 × 3 oak	26 linear ft.
O	Face frame pieces	1 × 2 oak	25 linear ft.
P	Shelf edge strips	3/4' hardwood	4 linear ft.
Q	Drawers
R	Cabinet doors

Side panels for short cabinet, made from 3/4" plywood, differ in size. A line connecting the tops of the two panels should follow the slope line of the staircase. Side panels for main cabinets, also made from 3/4" plywood, have dadoes for the cabinet shelves and base, and rabbets for the cabinet top. The taller side panel for the small cabinet fits against a main cabinet side panel when the work center is installed.

Shelves and cleats, made from plywood and 1 × 2 strips, are beveled so they fit flush against the understairs cover. The shelf edging strips are cut from oak 1 × 2, and mitered at the same angle as the shelves.

Duplicate the slope of your stairs using a T-bevel. Set one arm of the T-bevel in a level position against the back wall, then align the other arm with the stairs. Transfer the angle directly to your saw to make mitered and beveled cuts.

Cover stair underside before you install your understairs work center. Panels of 1/2" plywood attached to the stringers of the staircase create an understairs cover that can be used to anchor shelf cleats. If you plan to add electrical or plumbing lines, do the work (or hire a professional if you are inexperienced) before installing your built-in.